Types of Potentiometers: Wire Wound, Carbon Film and Plastic film potentiometers

There are three types of potentiometers that are used commonly: wire wound, carbon film and plastic film potentiometers. Wire wound potentiometer comprises of several rounds of wire wound around the shaft of the non-conducting material. The turns of the coil are bonded together by an adhesive. The carbon film potentiometers are formed by depositing carbon composition ink on an insulating body, which in most of the cases is phenolic resin. Plastic film pots comprise of the specially impregnated plastic material having resistance characteristics that are controlled properly.